Friday, December 16, 2011

As I look over the past year it has honestly been one of the roughest, richest years of my life. It is marked by strained relationships, the loss of two babies to miscarriage, a tumultuous job situation, the loss of loved ones, and damage from our own hurts, habits and hang ups. And yet, somehow, in the midst of it all, God has met us and ministered so deeply to our hearts. He has grown us and steadied us like never before. He has better equipped us for the remaining journey and has allowed us to better fix our eyes on Jesus Christ and things above. He has healed past wounds and allowed some new. Through our trials, He has changed us. And though the job is far from complete, I feel stronger and more prepared to focus on things that really matter in this world.

This Christmas season we have tried to do that. One thing that never seems to lose its luster is the opportunity to tell others about Jesus!! He so radically changed my life that January night in 2000 the first time I encountered Him. He filled me with the love, joy, hope and peace I so desperately searched for all my life. And it all happened that night when the walls were closing in on me and I saw no other alternative, but to end my life. I cried out to God for the first time and said, "If You are really there, take my life or it is over." He very much took me up on that offer.

Shortly thereafter, I admitted to God I was a sinner, believed that Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sin and chose to accept the gift of eternal life with God. In that instant I entered into a forever relationship with the living God of the Universe. It isn't something I could have ever earned on my own. It was given. Though it was given at great cost to Jesus Christ, it was freely given to me in love and it is available to you too. I can handle the trials of life because I have Him by my side and in my life. I want others to know that freedom and joy. If you ever need somebody to pray for you, or if you aren't sure you've ever entered into this relationship with God that I describe, I'd love to help. Shoot me an email (dana.racquel.olson@gmail.com) and we can get in contact with each other.

You, God, are good. You alone satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. No matter what my circumstances are in life, I praise You, for you alone are worthy. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.

Here are few glimpses into our life this past week! I love the anticipation of Christmas!!

Aaron, Elijah and I trying to get a decent shotfor our first attempt ever at Christmas cards!

Aaron helped to coordinate a Christmas Partyfor families in our community and Santa himself madean appearance! Here he is with my favorite 3 year old!

There were between 50 and 75 kids there. I was excited to seemany new faces. There were several children we met throughAngel Tree Ministry. Angel Tree is a Prison Fellowship program thatconnects parents in prison with their children through the delivery ofChristmas gifts. Our church purchased gifts and we will deliver them and the Gospel to children in the name of their prisoner-parent.

We did a little skit to present the gospel. Aaron let me coordinate the group and write the skit they were performing, but I didn't plan to be in it until the last minute when one of our performers was sick. It was a lot of fun despite my lack of preparation and several kids responded in faith. I love these youth girls!